Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
I’m writing this on the heels of our Adolph & Rose Levis JCC’s Annual Meeting, a wonderful reminder of just how much has happened in the last year. On a personal level, it’s been a journey of home renovations, wonderful family events, and forging new friendships in our community. On a professional level, it’s been an incredible time of growth and building relationships with many leaders, including our incredible Past Board Chair Emily Grabelsky, who just passed the gavel to the equally incredible new Board Chair, Steven Clarfield. It’s been a full season.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
It is the first week in May which means I have sent out weekly Shabbat messages for more than one year. Each week it is an honor to connect with this wonderful community and share my observations about life, family, and of course, about the many ways our Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center touches the lives of so many. I enjoy hearing the thoughts some of you have shared with me, and I encourage each of you to let me know if these are meaningful for you and particularly when something resonates with you. On a personal note, I am really enjoying the National Hockey League playoffs this year, during which the underdogs have knocked out the favorites to win in so many matches in the series. Our very own Florida Panthers eliminated the mighty Boston Bruins who had the best regular season record in the history of the sport! Go Cats!
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
This week, a nearly year-long labor of love comes to a close: Lori and I are just about finished with major home improvements that have truly made this new house our home. We are now focused on making arrangements to head to St. Louis in June for a visit with our granddaughter, Emi Lou, who turned one year old today! Many family members will be coming together in St. Louis to meet her for the very first time, and we really can’t wait for this special reunion.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
On Tuesday I spent considerably more time than usual hunting down gas for my car. I assume many of you are experiencing this as well—I had no idea that the rains that flooded Broward County caused such a gas crisis throughout the state. I was pleased to find that most people who were at the station were keeping their cool while waiting on long lines and tried to keep others in their consideration by only filling their tanks partially so others could get some gas as well. I did the same. It reminded me that we must always try to take care of one another.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
This week, I am writing my message to you in the air, leaving Arizona after 9 wonderful days with our son Noah, his fiancée and two daughters, and their 2 dogs. We also had the chance to meet our soon to be in-laws who joined us for our first family interfaith Seder. It could not have gone better or been more meaningful. We enjoyed dinner a few days later at their lovely and warm home, and I am so happy that we are all off to a great beginning together as we join as one family.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
With Passover upon us, I am writing this message to you from my son’s house in Arizona, and I am feeling full of emotion. This is my first trip back to Phoenix, where Lori, Noah and I spent 7 wonderful years. Last year at this time Lori and I were on a journey, driving cross country to make a new life in South Palm Beach County and for me to start work as President & CEO of the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC. Exactly one year later, we have the joy of celebrating Passover back in a city that meant a lot to our family, with our son and his new family. Reflecting over the past year, it’s been a journey of wonderful accomplishments and growth both for my family and for my new South Palm Beach County community.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
I just returned home from Tampa, where I attended a Jewish Community Center Association (JCCA) Southeast Regional Conference this past weekend along with several colleagues representing our Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center. It was so inspiring to be with more than 100 colleagues from JCCs across our region, learning with and from each other about a variety of topics all connected to the theme of “The Power of Out-sight.” It was a wonderful few days of professional development for all of us. Lori and I are now preparing for a long-awaited family visit to Phoenix to celebrate Passover with our son, Noah, and his family.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
This week is one of celebration in my family; both my son Noah and my brother Stefan have birthdays. Professionally, I celebrated the opportunity to meet up with Steven Nasatir, the retired long-time professional leader of the Jewish United Fund in Chicago. What a joy to have his undivided attention and learn from his vast experience gleaned from a long and storied career. We discussed many topics, but a key takeaway was how powerful the strong partnership between lay and professional leadership can be.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
This week in particular I am reminded of how fast time flies. A little under one year ago, I flew to Florida from Arizona to attend a Special Night for Special Needs, my very first Adolph & Rose Levis JCC event. I recall being deeply impressed with the professionalism of the staff running the program that evening, as well as the warm and caring community that came together in support of the Levis JCC’s Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department and its programs. I’ve come full-circle at the Levis JCC – this past week I attended that same event, and one year later, it was just as wonderful, welcoming, and indicative of the special community we all call home. Speaking of home, Lori and I continue to work on improvements on and around our house, and with each project, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to be at home here in Boca Raton.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
I am writing this week’s message to you on Purim, and what a Purim I’ve had! My day began at the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center’s Betty & Marvin Zale Early Childhood Learning Center enjoying the Zale preschoolers’ annual Purim parade, celebrating with hamantashen and happy, dancing, costumed preschoolers. I then met up with our incoming Levis JCC Board Chair, Steve Clarfield, and a possible partner for “Travel with the J,” a concept we are developing. I joined our Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center staff and partners at B’nai Torah Congregation to hear legendary comedian Rita Rudner present her book, “My Life In Dog Years: A Memoir.” Each week is jam-packed with opportunities to enjoy and showcase our wide variety of outstanding Levis JCC programs.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
With Purim next week, and Passover on the horizon, it’s a time of celebration! Some of my family from the west coast of Florida are coming into town to spend a few days with us, adding to the steady flow of visitors Lori and I have been blessed to welcome over the past month.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
Our community has seen an influx of visitors from colder climates, and this month my home has been filled with guests including my mother-in-law, Geri; brother-in-law, Rob; and niece Rachel. We are looking forward to welcoming more visitors to our home in early March.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
Sunday’s exciting Super Bowl game also kicked off a great opportunity for some quality time for my family. My wife, Lori, returned to Phoenix for the first time in almost a year. She’s traveling for work, but has the good fortune to be staying with our son, Noah, and his fiancé Patricia. I look forward to enjoying a family visit when Lori and I return to Phoenix for Pesach in April.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
Between several community events this past week, my wife’s birthday today, and the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday, this Shabbat message comes at a very eventful time! I wish Lori a very happy birthday, and to those of you who will be watching the big game, may your team win!
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
This past week I returned from my first Jewish Community Center Association (JCCA) “Mifgash” (encounter) with fellow CEOs and other professional leaders representing many of the 170 JCCs in North America, Israel, and globally. When I have amazing opportunities such as this one, I always try to bring home 3 ideas to build on.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
I’m writing this message from Atlanta, where I am gathered with CEOs and senior professional leadership representing many of the 170 JCCs that are part of the Jewish Community Center Association (JCCA) at our annual “Mifgash,” which is the Hebrew word for “encounter.” It has been a very interesting and inspiring series of encounters for me.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
After a weeklong birthday celebration, I can honestly say that Lori and I are becoming well acquainted with some of the dining opportunities that South Palm Beach has to offer. We hit Abe & Louie’s with lifelong friends and were treated to dinner at Trattoria Romano by my father in law, Ken Weinstein, now a snow bird here. The big question is: how I will fit into my tuxedo this weekend for a big event?!
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
This has been a week of celebrations, coincidences, and connections. I celebrated my 59th birthday this week and also reunited with Albert & Marcia Schmier, who are longtime family friends. The Schmiers are friends with longtime Levis JCC supporters Helene & Roy Schwedelson, who kindly invited us to join them for dinner. That’s when I found out that it was also Marcia’s birthday this week. I thank the Schwedelsons and Schmiers for generously hosting us, and again wish Marcia a very happy birthday!
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
Here we are in 2023 – the start of a new and hopefully exciting, prosperous, happy and healthy year ahead for all of us. With all of the holiday travel challenges, Lori and I were so happy that we were able to visit with our daughter Danielle, son in law Colin and granddaughter Emi Lou in St. Louis. What a difference from the 2 month old baby we met for the first time this past July. Now 8 months old, Emi Lou is so animated, playful and fun. Each time she smiled and waved to me as I entered the room, my heart melted! We took her to the St. Louis Aquarium and her fascination and amazement at all she was taking in was so delightful! We can’t wait for the next visit and to see all the growth and development.
Shalom Chaverim (Dear friends),
This is the last Shabbat message of our secular year – I can’t believe it! For me, 2022 seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye. It was a remarkable year for my wife Lori and me, as well as for our children. Our daughter, Danielle, and her husband Colin welcomed our first grandchild earlier this year, and Lori and I are so happy to be traveling to St. Louis to be with them this coming weekend. Our son, Noah, recently became engaged and we are very excited to welcome lovely Patricia and her two daughters to our family. This past year has brought us so many special personal moments! Professionally, I began interviewing to become CEO of your Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center in January, was hired in February, and began work here in early April. These past few months have brought me endless opportunities to meet wonderful leaders, staff, community members, partners, program participants, and prospective members.
